Photographic mount



May 17, 1932.

J. M LAURlN PHOTOGRAPHIC MOUNT Filed Sept. 24. 1931 4 I I I a $71; 7 Z y 11 2 INVENT RI Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATE JOHN MACLAUBIN, F WARE, MASSACHUSETTS PI-IOTOGRAPHIC MOUNT Application filed September 24, 1931. Serial No. 564,840.

This invention relates to the mounting of photographs intended to be used for commercial purposes, as for example, by salesmen, engineers, architects, and others.

It is the chief object of the invention to device a more economical but thoroughly satisfactory mounting for photographs of this character. v

At the present time it is the usual practice to mount such photographs on a fabric backing, the backing sheet being secured to the photograph by a suitable adhesive. Such photographs when used for commercial purposes are usually assembled in an album or book, or are tied together in a bunch, or are so associated that the back of one photograph rubs against the face of another. The fabric backing performs the function of reinforcing the photograph and strengthening it against tearing, and it also has surface characteristics such that its rubbing contact with the face of an adjacent photograph does not scratch or mar the latter surface.

With a view to reducing the expense of mounting photographs in this manner it has been proposed heretofore to use a strong paper, such as a kraft paper, instead of cloth. These attempts, however, have not been successful for the reason that while the paper has ample strength to serve as a backing sheet or mount for a photograph, it mars the surface of a photograph against which it rubs.

The present invention deals especially with this problem.

I have found that the objection above described to paper mountings or backings for photographs can be overcome by treating the 7 paper in any manner which will result in breaking up its continuous surface which comes in contact with the faces of adjacent photographs. This can be done very conveniently by embossing, or by any equivalent operation which will form raised portions on the back surface of the paper, these portions being distributed over approximately the en tire surface of the paper and being separated or broken up by intervening lower areas. The design used appears to be immaterial so long as the surface of the paper is broken up in the manner above described. For example, a paper embossed with a design Whichresembles a rather coarse fabric weave is entirely satisfactory, or amuch more open design may be used. In fact, practically any conformation of thepaper which will cause it to present an irregular, discontinuous or broken contact with the face of the photograph against which it rubs, and which will give it a certain amount of cushioning effect, is satisfactory. @0

The backing sheet may be made from almost any grade of paper having the necessary strength, and the embossing operation usuaily is performed. in connection withthe 'calendering and finishing of the paper. Later it is gummed on one surface and when the gum coating has dried, it may be cut into sheets or wound into rolls, depending upon the requirements of the user. 7

Such a paper may be applied to the photographs in essentially the same manner as are the fabric backings.

Usually. the photographs are broughtfrom the washing tank and placed face down on a ferropla-te. The workman mounts one of these prints or photographs simply by dipping an embossed gummed backing sheet of paper into water, placing the photograph on the gummed surface, and pressing the two together by running them between the rolls of a mangle or 39 wringer. While this process may make the embossing somewhat less pronounced, allowance should be made for this action in the making of the plates, rolls or other surfaces 7 with which the embossing operation is performed.

One embodiment of the invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a photograph partly mounted on a backing embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view through the photograph and its backing; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the manner in which the raised portions only of the backing sheet engage the face of an adjacent photograph. r

In the drawings a photograph is indicated at 2 and the mounting or backing sheet 109 therefor is shown at 3, the coating of adhesive which secures these two members together being indicated at 4. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown the paper sheet 3 is provided with very prominent ribs 5 which serve to break up the back surface of the sheet that comes in contact with the face of an adjacent photograph, and also to act somewhat as a cushion between the two photographs.

While, as above stated, I believe that the reason that the embossed paper can be successfully used for this purpose, while the plain papers are not satisfactory, is due to the fact that the area of the mount of one photograph in contact with the face of another is broken up and made discontinuous, and perhaps to some extent has a cushioning eflect, nevertheless, I do not want to be limited to this theory, this being simply the best explanation for the results obtained which I am able at this time to give.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is 1. An article of the character described comprising a photograph, and a backing therefor. comprising a sheet of paper, one side of which is adhesively secured to the back of the photograph, the other side of said sheet havinga multiplicity of raised portions distributed over approximately the entire surface of the paper and separated by intervening lower portions.

2. A photograph mount comprising a sheet of paper coated on one side with an adhesive, the opposite side of said sheet having a surface characterized by the presence of a multiplicity of raised portions projecting substantially beyond adjacent areas.

3. A photograph mount comprising a sheet of paper coated on one side with an adhesive,

the opposite side of said sheet being roughened substantially throughout the region immediately opposed-to said adhesively coated area by means of a multiplicity of raised portions with intervening lower areas between them.

4. A photograph mount comprising a sheet 7 of paper coated on one side with an adhesive and roughened on its opposite side to present definite projecting areas spaced apart by intervening lower areas.

JOHN MACLAURIN. 

